(ARA) - Home remodeling is an investment in the value and enjoyment of your home. Whatever area of the house you plan to remodel, the home remodeling contractor you choose must be qualified for the job.

So how do you choose a contractor that's right for you? First, don't just automatically choose the company with the lowest bid. You'll need to evaluate more than one aspect of the project before you make your final decision on who will coordinate and oversee the work.

Even if you're only doing a small project, taking the time to communicate, investigate and substantiate all areas of your remodel with each potential contractor will help you make the right decision.

It's a good idea to get at least three quotes on any home remodeling project. There are a number of resources and ways for you to be able to find contractors for quotes. Sometimes recommendations from family and friends can work out great ... sometimes not. Beware of letting your friend's wife's brother-in-law who's just getting started do the job.

Once you choose three people to give you a quote make sure you describe in depth exactly what you want accomplished. Assuming someone understands what you envision can be a big mistake. Get specific, ask questions and have everything in writing.

Home Remodeling Contractor

Make sure you feel comfortable talking and discussing possible problems and issues with your contractor. As your project goes on changes and decisions will need to be made. You don't want stressful conversations or aggravations during the remodeling.

Don't hesitate to ask for a materials list to ensure you're getting the quality of materials you want. You also want to make sure you get what's on the initial list and not a cheaper substitution.

When meeting with contractors, always ask for references and contact those references. It's also a good idea to do some investigating yourself. Find out how long the home remodeling contractor has been in business and check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

Once you've interviewed and received quotes from every home remodeling contractor you've contacted, it's time to begin to compare. Compare prices, quality of materials, time for completion and your overall impression of each one. If necessary create a spreadsheet allowing you to view and rank each of these areas, from each contractor. Make a notation of the ranking you give each contractor in each area. Then simply see which company has the highest ranking. That's the contractor you'll want to hire to get started on your remodeling project!